The Staff
Head of School/Directress
Cora
A. Gaabucayan Ph.D. is the Founder/Head of School, of Montessori
West Preparatory School. She holds a B.A. in English
Literature, M.A. in Guidance and a Ph.D in Counseling
Psychology. She received her Montessori Diploma from the
Association Montessori Internationale in May 1991.
Her extensive teaching experience, from Grade School to Graduate School gave her the opportunity to understand the dynamics involved in the learning process. It was while she was working on her masteral thesis (“Modes of Adjustment of Adolescent Girls and their Implications for Guidance and Counseling” and doctoral dissertation (“The Dynamics of Creativity: An In-Depth Study of 7 Eminent Filipino Writers”) that she became convinced of the strong influence of early experiences on creative development. Thus, she conceived the idea of establishing an early leaning center, and then; a Montessori School, where the potentials of children could be tapped and nourished; and where learning, is at the same time, a joyful experience.
She has travelled extensively in the U.S. and other countries to attend Montessori conferences, participate in workshops on Creativity, Learning and the Brain; and study the cultures of people around the world. The latest workshop she participated in was on Emotional Literacy at Yale University. Her firm belief in the power of the Montessori Approach in shaping the child’s world view is manifested in her commitment to early childhood education and planning training programs for parents and the staff of her school. Her editorials* published in the Encounter, a quarterly Newsletter of MW show her thoughts on how the Montessori Method could effectively impact on the child’s growth.
She has extended her service to the community by being a member of the School Steering Committee of Saint Thomas Aquinas Grade School (Avondale, Arizona) during its founding years.
She has participated in Creativity Workshops (Aix-en-Provence, France and Barcelona, Spain). She has joined educational and cultural trips in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian Countries to help her understand the role that culture plays in promoting international understanding and peace.
She is a member of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the NAMTA (National American Montessori Teachers’ Association).
She was married to the late Dr. Samuel P. Gaabucayan. She has three daughters.
Nozomi Lines
Nozomi Lines is mother of two Montessori West graduates. It was
during the years that her two young sons were students at
Montessori West that she actively involved herself in many of
the school activities, eventually becoming the Chair of the
Development Committee. It was during these times that she saw
the richness of the Montessori West’s Program but more
importantly, the gradual unfolding of her sons' talents and the
manner by which they internalized values as they went through
their training years. Mrs. Lines holds a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, plays the piano, paints, and speaks fluent Japanese.
Claudia Rose
Mrs. Rose has been with MW for the past 17 years. Her extensive
training on the Montessori principles and methods and
understanding of the psychology of the child, as well as her
talents in music and visual arts make her an effective guide of
children who are beginning to explore their environment. She is
married and has 4 children.
Gaby Sheahan (Support Staff)
Mrs. Sheahan was born and raised in Peru. She speaks Spanish
with the students and is an effective resource person on South
American traditions, folklore, music, and dance.
Susan Kujawski (Music Teacher)
Sue Kujawski is Montessori West’s Music Teacher. She has an Ed.
D in Music Education and is a certified Suzuki instructor. She
has extensive experience in teaching Music to elementary
students. She is married to Dr. Keith Kujawski, and mother to
Ana and Laura. The latter is a Montessori West graduate.
Dora Hampton (Spanish Teacher)
Mrs. Hamilton is Montessori West’s Spanish Teacher. She was
born, grew up, and went to college in Venezuela. She
works with the Buckeye Elementary School District as a Spanish
interpreter-translator.
Staff Development
Montessori West offers a Development Program that encourages the staff to continuously assess their skills and understand the psychology of the child in a changing world. Workshops are regularly held on Maria Montessori’s principles of education, the prepared environment, the developing brain, emotional intelligence, and creativity. Regular self –evaluation offers opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Head of School/Directress
Cora
A. Gaabucayan Ph.D. is the Founder/Head of School, of Montessori
West Preparatory School. She holds a B.A. in English
Literature, M.A. in Guidance and a Ph.D in Counseling
Psychology. She received her Montessori Diploma from the
Association Montessori Internationale in May 1991. Her extensive teaching experience, from Grade School to Graduate School gave her the opportunity to understand the dynamics involved in the learning process. It was while she was working on her masteral thesis (“Modes of Adjustment of Adolescent Girls and their Implications for Guidance and Counseling” and doctoral dissertation (“The Dynamics of Creativity: An In-Depth Study of 7 Eminent Filipino Writers”) that she became convinced of the strong influence of early experiences on creative development. Thus, she conceived the idea of establishing an early leaning center, and then; a Montessori School, where the potentials of children could be tapped and nourished; and where learning, is at the same time, a joyful experience.
She has travelled extensively in the U.S. and other countries to attend Montessori conferences, participate in workshops on Creativity, Learning and the Brain; and study the cultures of people around the world. The latest workshop she participated in was on Emotional Literacy at Yale University. Her firm belief in the power of the Montessori Approach in shaping the child’s world view is manifested in her commitment to early childhood education and planning training programs for parents and the staff of her school. Her editorials* published in the Encounter, a quarterly Newsletter of MW show her thoughts on how the Montessori Method could effectively impact on the child’s growth.
She has extended her service to the community by being a member of the School Steering Committee of Saint Thomas Aquinas Grade School (Avondale, Arizona) during its founding years.
She has participated in Creativity Workshops (Aix-en-Provence, France and Barcelona, Spain). She has joined educational and cultural trips in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian Countries to help her understand the role that culture plays in promoting international understanding and peace.
She is a member of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the NAMTA (National American Montessori Teachers’ Association).
She was married to the late Dr. Samuel P. Gaabucayan. She has three daughters.
Nozomi Lines
Nozomi Lines is mother of two Montessori West graduates. It was
during the years that her two young sons were students at
Montessori West that she actively involved herself in many of
the school activities, eventually becoming the Chair of the
Development Committee. It was during these times that she saw
the richness of the Montessori West’s Program but more
importantly, the gradual unfolding of her sons' talents and the
manner by which they internalized values as they went through
their training years. Mrs. Lines holds a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, plays the piano, paints, and speaks fluent Japanese.
Claudia Rose
Mrs. Rose has been with MW for the past 17 years. Her extensive
training on the Montessori principles and methods and
understanding of the psychology of the child, as well as her
talents in music and visual arts make her an effective guide of
children who are beginning to explore their environment. She is
married and has 4 children. Gaby Sheahan (Support Staff)
Mrs. Sheahan was born and raised in Peru. She speaks Spanish
with the students and is an effective resource person on South
American traditions, folklore, music, and dance. Susan Kujawski (Music Teacher)
Sue Kujawski is Montessori West’s Music Teacher. She has an Ed.
D in Music Education and is a certified Suzuki instructor. She
has extensive experience in teaching Music to elementary
students. She is married to Dr. Keith Kujawski, and mother to
Ana and Laura. The latter is a Montessori West graduate. Dora Hampton (Spanish Teacher)
Mrs. Hamilton is Montessori West’s Spanish Teacher. She was
born, grew up, and went to college in Venezuela. She
works with the Buckeye Elementary School District as a Spanish
interpreter-translator. Staff Development
Montessori West offers a Development Program that encourages the staff to continuously assess their skills and understand the psychology of the child in a changing world. Workshops are regularly held on Maria Montessori’s principles of education, the prepared environment, the developing brain, emotional intelligence, and creativity. Regular self –evaluation offers opportunities for professional and personal growth.
"Dr. Cora Gaabucayan has very high standards for
the quality of the environment, for the professional development
of the staff, and for the development of the children in her
group. It has been many years since I have Montessori work like
I saw today. The children remained involved in everything that
they were doing throughout the entire 3 hour morning work
period, through the playtime, the Beautiful lunch, and the
extended day session.
These children demonstrate again Montessori’s discovery of the true nature of the child,. That is to say they are developing themselves with a love of work (in their case, it is to develop themselves, and they initiated tasks to achieve that end), self-discipline (that is, they completed what they began), concentration (that is, they were involved in what they did, be it a manual, intellectual, or social behavior, and super-social behavior (that is, they were respectful of both people and things, kind, sympathetic to others, helpful, and delightful to be with.
Thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. It was a challenge to me to find anything at all to suggest in such an environment where things are going so well."
Rita Schaefer Zener, Ph.D. - AMI Consultant
"My visit to Montessori West Preparatory School was a delight. The group starts the day by gathering in the living room assembly area. Here they sing, recite poetry, discuss the virtue they are studying and come together in mind and spirit. One would not think that such young children could relate to topics such as patience, love, compassion, etc, but these children clearly do so with ease. It was also reflected in their interactions one with another and with the adults who share their environment."
M. Shannon Helfrich - AMi Consultant
These children demonstrate again Montessori’s discovery of the true nature of the child,. That is to say they are developing themselves with a love of work (in their case, it is to develop themselves, and they initiated tasks to achieve that end), self-discipline (that is, they completed what they began), concentration (that is, they were involved in what they did, be it a manual, intellectual, or social behavior, and super-social behavior (that is, they were respectful of both people and things, kind, sympathetic to others, helpful, and delightful to be with.
Thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. It was a challenge to me to find anything at all to suggest in such an environment where things are going so well."
Rita Schaefer Zener, Ph.D. - AMI Consultant
"My visit to Montessori West Preparatory School was a delight. The group starts the day by gathering in the living room assembly area. Here they sing, recite poetry, discuss the virtue they are studying and come together in mind and spirit. One would not think that such young children could relate to topics such as patience, love, compassion, etc, but these children clearly do so with ease. It was also reflected in their interactions one with another and with the adults who share their environment."
M. Shannon Helfrich - AMi Consultant